Improving accessibility and linkage of data to achieve better health outcomes for all Australians

Patient and public health records are an extremely valuable resource that have the potential to drive improvements in medicine and healthcare through research and quality improvement programs. 

To reap these benefits, Australia – led by action from federal and state/territory health ministers – needs to build on existing efforts to enable efficient, rigorous, safe and secure use of data for research, while protecting the rights and interests of individuals. 

Priorities for action

• Resolve regulatory barriers limiting timely access to existing population and health data collected at state and national levels.
• Enhance medical and community understanding of and protocols for safe and ethical collection, storage, synthesis and analysis of health data.
• At Commonwealth level, build upon successful state-based linkage programs such as the Public Health Research Network.
• Develop new approaches to accessing and utilising data from novel sources, including the Internet of Things, social media and wearables.
• Ensure continued engagement with and respect for Indigenous data sovereignty.
• Further improve the quality and reliability of health and medical data collections.
• Bolster efforts to generate a data-skilled clinical and research workforce through expanded professional and postgraduate training programs.